how to use constraints to simulate a magnet-like force

Development Programming & Scripting C++
1

I have two basic cubes 1m apart, and I want them to pull together and “stick” together using spring constraints (other aspects of the app might pull them apart or stick between them, so this needs to be “physical” simulation, not just interpolated movement).

I can create a spring constraint, but it always defaults to whatever distance apart the cubes are when the constraint is made. I want the constraint length to be zero, and essentially “start out” stretched to 1m (the distance the cubes start at).

The constraint documentation is not helpful at all, it doesn’t explain how any of the parameters can be used – nor can I find any useful tutorials or other articles on this subject.

So – how can I create a 0-length spring constraint that STARTS 1m long and then applies necessary forces to pull the object together?

2

Solution was to teleport the two objects to the desired relative positions, setup the constraint, then teleport them back to their original positions. The constraint will then “pull” them into place. Pretty clunky and hacky, but Unreal doesn’t seem to offer any better options – or at least it doesn’t document them.